Monterey and Carmel are classic getaway spots here in the Bay Area and it's easy to see why. With views of the ocean peering out from between the many tourist spots you don't need to veer far from the basic footpath to enjoy your stay. But you will be rewarded if you take a detour and see what the
rest of Carmel Valley has to offer.

For me, I love the area off West Carmel Valley Road with its less-hurried wineries, cafes and shops all tucked away in what feels like a secret hideaway. Some of my favorite afternoons have been spent lingering over a late lunch with the golden glow of summer sun peeking through the trees.

Am I a bit of a romantic? Maybe, although being recently single may be prompting such a feeling. But truly, if you want a path-less-travelled feeling, do check it out.

If you spend much time on this blog you'll notice the many references to Seattle and breakfast/brunch. The two seem intertwined and something I always look forward to during trips back home. A recent trip over Easter weekend was no exception...

When touching down in Seattle I've taken to spending more and more time in Ballard, an area undergoing a revival on it's way to becoming industrial chic. The food - and restaurants - seem to be keeping pace. My recent favorite is Stoneburner which is a modern take on Italian food. And while the food is pretty stellar, like many locations in Ballard, it's the building, setting and aesthetic that do the trick.

Check out the bar when you're there (someone had a great eye for detail) and then dive into the food. Oh, and on Sundays the farmer's market is close and well-stocked with great vendors.

A recent spate of sunny weather spurred a weekend stay in Santa Cruz and some time at the beach. With the sun setting we turned our focus to dinner and how best to answer the usual questions: "What should we eat?" and "Where should we go?"

Turns out we didn't have to go far before we came across Lillian's, a family-style Italian restaurant where reservations are scarce, the atmosphere is cozy, the service is attentive and the food is simply killer. Don't miss the Sunday gravy and meatballs or you will experience food envy!

The glass display at Gayle's contains a bevvy of eye-catching pastries and cakes which beckon and confuse as you try make a decision. In the end breakfast burritos and cookies won out and we happily started the day on a high.

It feels odd writing about my summer road trip in the middle of December and especially on Christmas Day. But I can't resist taking a moment to think back on the vivid blues of the water and the cool of the breeze coming off the lake.

The original plan was a four day trip to Crater Lake over the July 4th weekend. Missing from the planning calculation was the 8-hour drive from the Bay Area. Oh, and confirmation of our hotel stay!
It's never a good sign when you check into your hotel and the desk person responds with an elongated "ohhhh...did you book through our website?"

Turns out we booked our room but failed to notice that both nights weren't actually confirmed. I highly recommend - if you book a room via the Crater Lake Lodge website - make sure the nights you request are actually available. Road trip rookie mistake!

We lucked out and found a room at the Historic Prospect Hotel about 40 minutes away. The hotel itself is clean and welcoming and guests receive breakfast in the morning.
﻿﻿﻿

Crater Lake, a view from the rim.

A view from the visitor center.

We spent the following day driving around the rim and stopping at various points to snap photos. My favorite part? A mini-picnic of cheese, bread and fruit on a quiet ridge where we could take in the scene and relax. My biggest regret? Not planning an extra day to hike the many trails available.

As for the Crater Lake Lodge, nice ambiance and a restaurant with good food and service. Hint: when booking you might ask which side of the hotel your room will be on and also which floor (yes, I know this sound picky!) Ours was top floor with a sloped ceiling and very little air circulation. Not exactly a deal-breaker but something to consider if you're staying more than one night.

As I look back on the past year this trip and adventure definitely stands out. The clear blue of the lake and peace-of-mind lingered even after the bags were unpacked and we'd checked back into our everyday working world.

1) Your scenery is always breath-taking but even more so
during our August visit as the sun made the water sparkle...yes, like
diamonds!Made our kayaking and biking
around StanleyPark just THAT much better.

2) Eating options were numerous and within a stone's throw
of our boutique hotel. Crazy-good ramen, down home Italian and fresh sushi made
choosing a chore (but not really.)

3) Friendly people, easy navigation and that cute little
"jaunty man" signal which tells you it's time to cross the
street.

The burrata at La Buca

A mouth-watering menu at La Buca

Finally, how can I forget the really great boutique hotel on
Robson Street?The Listel features comfortable rooms, helpful staff and great location for walking to most of what we wanted to see/do.Less driving and parking meant more time to
chill and enjoy the city.

We did take the car to North
Vancouver with the intent of participating in the
Grouse Grind before we left on Thursday.My friend tells me it's a straight up hike on the normally-wintery ski
trail with a convenient tram to bring you down when finished.An un-named person forgot their hiking shoes
so we found solace in The Bakehouse and the many pastries on display.

I'm back to my usual routine - work and some play - and my
summer fling with Vancouver
seems so far away.But I will be back,
with hiking shoes in hand!

It's way past the end of summer and I'm ashamed to admit I
am only posting my August road trip adventures NOW.Never fear though, the magic of the Northwest
is timeless in my opinion and even more so in the Fall.

The trip was somewhat spontaneous and came about due to
extra vacation days available, nice weather on the horizon and the lure of
being in a car for 15 hours.Seriously,
for me there truly is nothing like the open road and the freedom that comes
with it.

While on the road it's always an interesting challenge to
find good food that won't require a three hour wait.Although not a quick stop, Sa.la.me in AshlandOregon
helped fuel our batteries for the road ahead AND transition into a relaxed
state-of-vacation mode.

Once in the Northwest we hopped a ferry headed for Port
Townsend, a charming town that boasts amazing views of the water, a plethora of
Victorian housesand Sea J's for fish
and chips (with lots of really good tartar sauce.)

﻿﻿﻿

Crispy fish and creamy tartar sauce at Sea J's

﻿

Sea J's

2501 WashingtonStreetPort Townsend WA

(360) 385-6312

Following on the fish and chips
theme - some might call it an obsession - we stopped at a relic from the past
on our way back to the Bay Area...Skippers Fish and Chips in RoseburgOregon.I was trying to express my love of this chain
but the run-down mall it was housed in didn't generate as much enthusiasm as I'd expected from
my driving partner.Buying a case of
clam chowder - "it will last longer" boasted the cashier - and
fitting it into our packed trunk was quite the challenge but worth the effort in my opinion.Anyway, I'll always have the memories of Ashland...and
12 cans of chowder for the rainy days ahead!

The food scene is definitely hopping in Portland and a quick weekend getaway to visit
friends was the perfect excuse to indulge.We started with a
visit to Bernie's Southern Bistro in the very lively Alberta Arts district which was the perfect way to get the party started.

Key highlight at Bernie's: sitting outside under the trees
awaiting our very large portions of fried chicken and mac and cheese.Of
course we ordered way too much but we walked away happy and ready for the
arduous task of shopping and hanging out (basically doing nothing.)Note:I am NOT complaining here.

Day two we hiked Hardy Falls which served up fresh
air and a good dose of nature.Next
up,Full Sail Brewingin HoodRiver.With a stunning drive along the water and
then a big burger plus salad (gotta have something healthy!) our day was pretty
much complete and our trip began to wind down.

Our last day we packed our bags
and made a stop at Roots in CamasWA.Roots is one of those places where you get
food and service exceeding your expectations despite the modest suburban strip mall location.Don't skip the crab benedict or the Walla Walla onion
tart - both amazing!

Although I seemingly make light of the trip - but not my
obsession with the Portland
food scene - my true purpose was to catch up with longtime friends over many
cups of hot coffee and meaningful dinners.Past memories and meals tie our friendship together and continue to knit
us close despite the many miles now between us.

So thanks to my wonderful friends for setting aside precious
time to connect and remind me what really matters in life.YOU.

The motto on Mothers website is "it's all about the love" which
resonated with this diner! I loved the reuben
sandwich with melty cheese, sauerkraut and, of course, homemade corned beef. It felt like the entire plate was made with love, right down to the crispy bread which held everything together.

Apparently our short wait for a table was the result of good timing and good
luck. I'm told our wait wasn't the norm and a visit usually requires
patience. In any case, don't miss the Reuben. It's really
fantastic.

Although it's summer in the Bay Area and my vacation now
seems so long ago (really only a month ago) I'm still hungering for Baja and
the food I love so much.Tacos were the
vision - and we did partake - but we also ventured out to restaurants for meals
which captured the essence of the region and time and time again reflected the
hospitality of the people.

Martini-time at Villa Valentina

Three standouts on this trip include the following:

The Drunken
Sailor

Located near the new marina (look for Hotel El Ganzo) and
sporting a casual, beachy vibe this place really delivers.We ordered the taco chino; a tortilla filled
with panko coated shrimp and topped with a cilantro sesame dressing.In addition I tried the enchiladas verde
filled with shrimp and just the right amount of tang and spice.This was a nice start to the trip....

After dinner we hung on the deck of the very cool and
sophisticated Hotel El Ganzo.El Ganzo
is jaw-dropping with it's chic decor, relaxed vibe and roof top pool.The rooms vary from waaayyyy over the top
(one has a ping pong table AND workout room) to more subdued but all boast
views of the marina and on this night were served up by Gerry, our effervescent
host and impromptu tour guide.

Next up a trip to Todos Santos to see the real Hotel California.Of course we were famished upon arrival and a
taco platter plus ceviche with red pepper cream salsa was in order.I admit I had an Eagles soundtrack playing in
my head "Welcome to the Hotel California..." but it wasn't until we
visited Hacienda Cerritos I felt the dream materialize.Beautiful stonework, pools overlooking the
Pacific and a friendly cat jumping around to greet us made for a delightful day
trip away from the core.

Villa Valentina

Part home decor store, art center and restaurant is the best
way I can describe Villa Valentina.Throw in well-prepared food and the sound of a local musician on his
guitar and you've almost got your own romantic movie.

My dinner companions ordered the huarache (chipped duck with
mole, really terrific) and chicken with - you guessed it - more mole.As odd as this sounds, I ordered the fish and
chips thinking it would be fun to see how other cultures prepare this iconic
American dish.In this case, Villa
Valentina nailed their rendition and put their own stamp on it with fresh local
sea bass perfectly cooked and served alongside wedge cut potatoes.And don't forget the tarter sauce (I didn't!)

The huarache with chipped duck and mole. Incredible!

Cazuelas del don

Located in San Jose del Cabo off the tourist loop this local
restaurant is about as authentic as you can get.The premise is that each day the owner slow
cooks meat, vegetables and spices and then you get to choose how the concoction
is served up.Onthis day we were treated to La Ira;
arrachera, chile poblano and cebolla (plus a few other ingredients.)I opted for the baked potato, my companions
the torta (sandwich) and volcan which seemed to translate to "all piled up
on a crispy tortilla".

The torta at Cazuelas (check out the crispy cheese!)

This was probably one of my favorite places and not just
because the food was so interestingly delicious.It's because it was served with a dose of
pride and much warmth by the owners themselves.To this day my travel companion lights up when talk turns to Cabo,
Cazuelas and that lovely torta!

It started around January... a recurring vision of sandy
beach and fiery sun to warm my soul...and didn't ease up until I was poolside with a plate offish tacos and a generous helping of smooth
guacamole.Cabo has become the stuff of
my dreams and the place I think of first when I want to unwind and unplug.

Last year I travelled to Cabo and stayed at the Hilton which
is very plush and a great way to touch down for a few days of doing nothing
(which is quite pleasant I must admit!) This year it was the same but after
a few days we changed hotels (Casa Natalia, boutique hotel) and locations (San
Jose del Cabo) for a walkable experience via newly cobblestoned streets and
updated core.

﻿﻿﻿

Fun, funky art adds beauty and character to Casa Natalia

Great for relaxing poolside

I loved Casa Natalia with its ultra chic setting and simple
but comfortable rooms.The hotel is
right on the plaza so you can go out for a coffee at the French Riviera (great
pastries) and then check out Casa Dahlia (art, light food) or Mi Casa Azul
(nice collection of items for you or your home.)Casa Natalia (whew, seems like everything
here starts or ends with a "casa") also offers breakfast delivered to
your room for dining al fresco. A great way to start the day!

Fresh fruit for our daily desayuno...breakfast!

One thing I will say is this:Casa Natalia offers natural cooling with
ceiling fans and open windows which isn't for everyone but was fine with
us.If you are looking for
air-conditioned bliss, a larger hotel is probably a better fit.However, the location and amenities overrule
the lack of A/C in my opinion (unless of course it's the middle of summer when
it's blistering hot.)

Next up:the food and
fun of Cabo.Don't miss the next post
coming your way soon!

Along came an article about local spots where
you can view the Spring blooms and voila!We were on our way to El Portal to hike the Hite Cove Trail near
Yosemite.

Turns out the timing was perfect as the crowds were minimal, hotel rates
reasonable and the hills truly were alive with a painter’s palette of
color.There’s still time to plan a trip
as the flowers will continue to spring alive until sometime in May.Here are a few notes from our trip:

The highlight

Hiking the Hite
Cove Trail! It's about 4 miles one-way so take plenty of water and wear comfortable
shoes (that seems obvious but figured I’d say it anyway). The trail winds
alongside the river for views of blooms and
the pleasant sound of water in the background.

﻿

Vibrant orange poppies everywhere!

Where we stayed
Yosemite View Lodge. Comfortable and reasonably priced. The best part? The
back door opened to a view of the Merced River creating the perfect ambiance
for our evening wine/cheese fest.

﻿

Yosemite View Lodge - a view from the balcony

Places we dined

Savoury’s
in Mariposa. About 45 minutes from the hotel and worth the drive.I ordered off the menu and a) they were not
annoyed and b) it was delicious (a shrimp linguine – perfectly cooked.)

Ahwahnee Hotel
for brunch. A little pricier than your standard buffet ($45) but this isn’t
really your standard buffet.What you
get is an amazing array of delectable items served up in a grand setting
creating an experience well-worth the price of entry.

We liked our first trip to Monterey so much we headed back for another weekend getaway. It's no surprise this area is a very popular destination for tourists both near and far with something for just about everyone within arms reach.

This time we stayed in Monterey but spent our first day in Carmel meandering down Ocean Ave looking at all the shops. We wandered into Il Fornaio which is tucked away off the street and opens up into a large comfortable atrium-covered dining area. Here you can order a tasty margarita pizza - enough for two - with the usual toppings (cheese + tomato sauce) and a delightfully thin crust for about $7.50. Add a cookie and coffee for the perfect midday meal.

Lodging this time was Casa Munras on, you guessed it, Munras Avenue. The hotel is well-located and well-priced with most restaurants a few minutes walking distance. Also within close proximity is the pedestrian-friendly foot path which winds past Cannery Row down to the Aquarium for a leisurely way to see the sights.

For breakfast try the Old Monterey Cafe located on Alvarado Street. You might have a bit of a wait but the breakfast burritos and Belgian waffles are worth it!

Finally, we returned to Montrio Bistro where we ordered family style: bacon-wrapped prawns, spinach salad and a sirloin steak accompanied by mashed potatoes. All fairly standard but well done and served by the ever-friendly, knowledgeable staff. The dessert - bread pudding - is simply a must-have!

It was a nice way to cap the year: a quick trip to Monterey and Big Sur complete with a sprinkling of sun to set off the scenery and provide a backdrop for last-minute resolutions. Mine definitely included getting away more often given the proximity to such beautiful natural eye-candy!

Speaking of eye-candy the Portola Inn, located on Monterey Bay, boasts a fair amount of well-appointed decor put together by someone with an eye for fabulous spaces. The reason I mention this is that all the details come together to create a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere where you instantly want to kick back and relax. "Why go out all night when we can hang out in such a room?" was the question I asked immediately.

Of course we did manage to get motivated to leave when our appetites beckoned. We ambled down the street to Montrio recommended by the hotel staff and found a small table in the very crowded restaurant. We sampled the luscious lobster mac n cheese, a bistro steak (with truffle fries - wow!) and a sweet creamy bread pudding served alongside passionfruit ice cream. A nice find indeed.

The next day we saw the line for breakfast at Rosine's snaked out the door requiring us to keep our patience in check and go with the crowd. The food was good, with large generous portions that could have fed 3-4 per plate (I am serious about this.) When reading about the history of Rosine's this seems to be part of their "claim to fame" (in Monterey at least!) and it seems like something that resonates with customers. For me personally I always feel guilty leaving so much food on the plate and eating it all was definitely out of the question.

Our last stop of the day was Nepenthe (Big Sur) where we sipped hot spiced cider against the backdrop of the Pacific. The chill in the air was tempered by the welcome winter sun and I couldn't help but make a mental note to visit again during summer (although the crowds would probably be more visible.)

Overall, rather than looking forward to the new year I took a moment to catch my breath and count my blessings which are beyond measure. And with that, we were on the road home again to get ready to ring in the new year.

Every year it’s the
same:the holidays sneak up on me, I
wait until the last minute to buy gifts and before I know it I’m on a plane
headed to the Pacific Northwest to visit family.The routine
might seem, well, routine, but changes to the menu lineup make this “the most
wonderful time of the year” for me.

While Seattle hosts a
bevvy of fine dining choices I actually think the unique quick-meal options –
some would call this fast food - define
the area (yes, you are welcome to disagree).Good food at a good price really does make me jolly JHere’s a
snapshot of our adventures…

Taco Time

Crispy
meat burritos, housemade salsa and the “mexi fries” (tater tots) all make for a
good quick meal at this Northwest classic.Select from the combo menu and your wallet will thank you. Oh and it's not just me.A co-worker commented that his first stop in Seattle is Taco Time as well (followed by Starbucks!)

Musashi’s

Nestled in a strip mall
in Factoria (suburb of Bellevue) Mushashi’s is the second installment for this
family-owned restaurant.The food was good, tasty and reasonably priced.My very-picky mother
liked it and said she’d definitely return which is good as gold in terms of
reviews.

3720 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue WA 98006

Sushi from Musashi's in Factoria

The Daily Grill
(Seattle) and The Keg (Factoria) share the same paragraph simply because they
have similar menu items (steaks, chops, salads) but the experience – and food –
couldn’t be more different.

To be fair, we dined at
the Daily Grill on Christmas so I have to cut some slack here.But overall, food was just “okay” (steak
wayyyy overdone) with service that seemed to amplify the subpar nature of the
meal.On the bright side, the huge slice
of chocolate cake for dessert was decadent and delicious.

﻿

Chocolate cake from The Daily Grill - a nice holiday treat.

The Keg Steakhouse,
located in the same strip mall as Musashi’s in Factoria is part of a
long-standing Northwest chain that seems to have aged well and delivers quality
in terms of food and service.I have ordered the rib eye twice (once during
my last trip and this time too) and it’s amazing; well-cooked and bursting with flavor.At 20
oz. you might be tempted to pass up dessert, but don’t.The Billy Miner pie -mocha ice cream on a
chocolate crust with hot fudge, caramel and almonds - is fantastic.

Now with the holidays
soundly in my rearview mirror I am ready to embrace 2013 and all the food
adventures I can find.As always, I’m
truly grateful for the people in my life who bring joy and laughter despite
anything I might really deserve.I am
blessed and hope you – and those around you – are too!Thanks for reading.﻿﻿

With so many restaurants to choose from in Manhattan deciding on dinner can be daunting. This recent NY visit I opted to check out two of the same restaurants from last years' trip and was reminded why some always sizzle: consistent quality, delicious food and attentive servers.

Locanda Verde

377 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10013

(212) 925-3797

Italian food in a sophisticated setting. A few of the favorites: duck

meatballs, spaghetti all' matriciana and clam pasta. The spaghetti was pure comfort food; a bit rich and just the right amount of spice.

Hint: do make reservations if you can or you'll be in for a wait. No matter of course given the busy, booming bar and scene that goes with it.

Clam pasta - Locanda

Chocolate budino at Locanda

The perfect blend of spice and savory - Locanda

Peppolino
281 West Broadway New York, NY 10013(212) 966-9983Italian food seemed to be my cuisine of choice this trip so Peppolino was high on my list. You can't go wrong with many of the entrees but definitely don't skip the ricotta cheesecake. This is not your typical cheesecake; less sweet and vastly richer than most, it's their signature dish...and rightfully so.Ciao!

No matter how many times I visit Healdsburg there's one thing that always stands out: great food, and lots
of it.

First stop, Barn Diva for a
fantastic lunch of salad, fries and quiche.Of course the salad wasn't just any salad, it was chock full of avocado,
blue cheese, beets, shaved carrots and crunchy croutons married with a creamy
tarragon dressing.Add a side of fries -
which are really more of a cross between a chip and a fry - to go with the rich
quiche and you are ready to hit the winery trail.

The quiche at Barn Diva, Healdsburg

Our one and only winery visit
this trip was Schlumberger (an old favorite) where reservations are recommended
and a seat beside the lovely, relaxing fountain in the courtyard a must.We took this opportunity to listen to the
hypnotic symphony of water trickling and wine glasses clinking in the warm,
embracing late-season sun.

After a check-in at the hotel and
a power nap we headed out to the Russian River Brewing Co in Santa Rosa.I'll admit, beer isn't my first love but the sampler seemed necesssary.
We tried all the samples with mixed reviews:I liked the sour versions (Supplication, Temptation and Consecration) and
my companion liked the Redemption or the blondes (what a surprise.)

All that wine and beer tasting created
quite the appetite so we headed to Catelli's in Geyserville.Featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (or
Triple D) you SHOULD believe the hype:
amazing 12-layer lasagna , homemade ravioli (in two sauces) are just a few of
the dishes to die for.Oh, and the bread
which feels like a course on it's own.Hint:if you order the lasagna it
arrives with two large pieces of very garlicky, buttery bread.

The best of all worlds: meat ravioli with butter sauce and cheese ravioli paired with the spicy tomato. Heaven!

Once the plates arrived I asked
my dinner companion if he wanted a taste of my ravioli (which of course he
did.)Asked the same question about his
lasagne I hesitated oh-so-briefly to which I was told "take some now
before it's gone".Although a
nano-second to me, the lasagne quickly disappeared and I made a mental note to
visit Healdsburg - and Catelli's again soon.

As crazy as it sounds I’ve always feared burning my food under
the broiler.That fear was put to test
over Labor Day weekend on Don Pedro Lake
while houseboating with friends.The
propane bar-b-que wasn’t working so well - really not at all - and we turned to
the oven/broiler for dinner (even though the cabin seemed like an oven on some
days.)

Since that weekend soooo long ago (where DID the summer go?)
the broiler has becomeless daunting and
more useful as a cooking method/tool in my kitchen.Below is a simple recipe for roasted tomatoes
(the broiling is the finishing component) which are delicious – and beautiful -
on a plate and your palate.

Roasted, toasted savory tomatoes

·3-4 tomatoes, cut in half

·2-3 slices white bread, crusts removed

·½ cup gruyere, swiss or parmesan cheese

·¼ t crushed oregano

·Salt/pepper

·Olive oil for drizzling

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Run the bread through a food processor to make coarse
crumbs.Add the cheese and process until
the bread and cheese are the same “crumb” size.Combine with the oregano, salt and pepper (to taste).

Drizzle the olive oil on the tomatoes and then place the
tomatoes in the oven.Roast until soft
in the center (about 20-30 minutes).Remove from the oven and
turn on the broiler.

While the broiler is heating up, mound the bread crumb
mixture on each tomato half.Place
under the broiler until the crumbs are golden (about 5 mins) and crunchy.Enjoy!

Want the ultimate in getaways? Then consider Palm Springs where it's like a trip times two: you can immerse yourself in a host of activities AND travel back in time to the 60's. A short stay will reset your attitude and you too will depart feeling like an official member of the rat pack.

The decor at the Orbit In boutique hotel

For the outdoor enthusiasts Joshua Tree offers breaktaking scenery and great photo opportunities.

Joshua Tree at sunset

Downtown palms in Palm Springs

Check out the Cabazon dinos while on your way to the outlets where they have the best of the luxury brands.